Homemade Giardiniera Pickled Vegetables - Bold and tangy Giardiniera is an easy refrigerator pickles recipe that combines fresh veggies with zesty spices and vinegar. Enjoy with snacks, sandwiches, and as a side with your favorite main dishes!
Prep work: Chop all the fresh produce into small bite pieces. Cut the serrano chiles in half. Drain the green olives. Set out 4 pint jars.
To each jar add: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 smashed garlic clove, 1 bay leaf, ½ - 1 serrano pepper, ½ teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon celery seeds, ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds, ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds.
Divide the cauliflower, sliced carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and olives between the four jars. Fill them to the top.
Set a medium saucepot over high heat. Add the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Stir well, then carefully pour the boiling brine into each jar.
Allow the pickled vegetables to cool at room temperature. Then cover with a lid, shake, and refrigerate for 36-48 hours before serving.
Notes
You can keep the Giardiniera in the refrigerator for up to four months.If you plan to “can” the Giardiniera, you will need to blanch the fresh produce in salty water before adding to the jars. Then the use classic canning method of boiling the jars for 10 minutes to seal.If you find the pickled vegetables too salty after 48 hours, you can pour one-third of the brine water off the top and fill with fresh water before placing back in the refrigerator.